Operating device for alpha desk-fall support



n 1930. E. D. TRuEsBuRY 1,764,188

OPERATING DEVICE FOR A DESK FALL SUPPORT Filed July 5, 1928 Eugene l1 fiuesbzuy Patented June 1 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFICE EUGENE D. TRUESIBURY, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ORNAMENTAL BRASS SHOPS, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION ILLINOIS OPERATING DEVICE FOR A DESK-FALL surron'r Application filed July 5,

The invention relates generally to an operating device for a desk fall support and more particularly it relates to a novel means for pivotally connecting such a device to the support to effect a sliding movement of the latter in the swinging movement of the desk fall.

The general object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in form and which may be economical ly manufactured and attached to a-desk.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a desk embodying the preferred form of the invention. H

Fig. 2- is a fragmental plan View partially in section of the desk shown in Fig. 1 showing the desk fall in open position.

Fig. .3 is an enlarged fragmental portion of the operating device shown in Fig. 1.

WVhile the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the embodiment chosen for disclosure I have shown a desk having the usual horizontal top 5, side and rear walls 6 and a forwardly projecting top piece 7. A desk fall 8 is provided secured by hinges 9 at the for 1928. Serial No. 290,346.

the desk to a forward position beneath the fall. This is accomplished by means of a link 11 pivotally connected atone end to the inner side of the fall and at its other end to the sliding bar, an elongated slot 12 being provided in the desk top 5, in which the rear end of each link isv adapted to operate.

V. The means for pivotally connecting the upper'forward end of the link 11 to the desk fall 8 may be of any suitable construction, that herein shown being in the form of an angular plate or bracket 13. The rear end of the link is bent downwardly as at 14 and is connected to the supporting'bar 10 in a manner such as to be readily .engageable and disengageable for purposes of assembly, but only when the forward end of the link is disconnected fromathe fall- The construction which I have provided for thus connecting the rear end of the link to the fallsupport or bar 10 consists of a plate '15 having a. slot 16 and a hook portion 17 formed'on the rear end of thelink tointerengage withthe plate; allow the hook portion '17 to project below the plate 15, a recess 18 is formed in the bar 10 beneath the plate. Said hook portion is ll adapted In order to Y prefembIy formed by cuttinganotch 19in the rearside of. the depending rear end of the link ll'andacutting the other edge of said dependingbentportion to. form an arcuate surface'20 substantially concentric with said notch. The length of the slot 16 in the plate is such as to correspond substantially with the width of the hook thus formed, the arcuate surface 20 hearing against the forward end ofthe slot 16 in the plate to hold' the hook with the rear end of the slot engaging in thenotch. l

The proportions are, such that when the forward end of the link ll'is secured to the desk fall the link is permitted to pivot relative to the fall support, the rear end of the hook portion 17 engaging the under side of movable therefrom.

It will be observed that the upper edge of the notch 19 forms a shoulder adapted to engage with the upper surface of the plate rearwardly of the notch, the plate providing a bearing surface for the shoulder and hence for the rear end of the link in the pivotal movements of the latter.

Itwill also be observed that the construction'provided is extremely simple due to the absence of any pivot pins, resilient jaws or the like, such as are commonly employed in the art. At the same time a neat and effective connection is provided.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a desk having atop and supports therefor, a desk fall hinged to saidtop so as to be swingable to a horizontal position whereby to form a table projecting horizontally from said top, a slide bar mounted for horizontal sliding movement beneath said top so that it may be projected outwardly from beneath said top into supporting relation with said desk fall when said desk fall is in its horizontal position, the combination of a link having one end pivotally secured to 7 said desk fall, and means pivot-ally securing the other end of said link to said slide bar whereby swinging movement of said fall from its closed position to its horizontal position will project said bar outwardly from beneath said top into its supporting relation relatively to said desk fall, said means comprising a slotted plate secured to said bar, and a hook-like portion formed on said link liavingopposite curved surfaces substantially concentric and extending through the slot in said plate so that said arcuate surfaces engage the opposite ends of the slot and one of said arcuate surfaces engages the lower surface of the plate so as normally to prevent withdrawal of the link from said slot.- 7 f 2. In-an operating device for a desk fall support, the combination of a plate having a slot therein, alink, and means on said link for pivotally connecting said link to said plate, said means comprising a notch formed in one side of said link and adapted to engage one edge of said slot to prevent withdrawal of said link from said slot, said link being of sufficient width and the edge thereof opposite from said notch being shaped to engage the opposite edge of said slot to maintain said notch in engagement with the edge of said slot throughout a predetermined range of pivotal movement of the link.

3. In an operating device for a desk fall support, the combination of a plate having a slot therein, a link, and means for pivotally securing said link to said plate comprising a hook-like portion on one end of said link having opposite curved surfaceshaving a slot therein, a link having an a'rcuate end portion adapted to extend from one side of said plate through said slot so as to engage the lower surface of said plate, said arcuate portion being of such a size as to completely fill said slot, in all positions of said portion in said slot, and the width of the link above said end portion being greater than the length of said slot so as to provide a shoulder adjacent said arcuate portion arranged to abut the upper surface of said plate to limit the projection of said link through said plate.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

EUGENE D. TRUESBURY. 

